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General => Armed Forces => World War One => Topic started by: Mamsoth on Tuesday 05 July 16 13:51 BST (UK)

Title: Identification of lad in Photo
Post by: Mamsoth on Tuesday 05 July 16 13:51 BST (UK)
Does anybody know which unit this lad is likely to have served in? I'm hoping there are some clues in his uniform that I am unable to read...

Thanks for looking
Title: Re: Identification of lad in Photo
Post by: t mo on Tuesday 05 July 16 14:31 BST (UK)
royal artillery possibly royal field artillery others will know more im sure , as you've titled it unknown I take it you don't know the identity of the chap in the pic only we may be able to find out more about him .
regards
trevor
Title: Re: Identification of lad in Photo
Post by: jim1 on Tuesday 05 July 16 16:29 BST (UK)
Agree R.A. Could be any branch, RHA/RFA/RGA.
The only thing I can add is that he's wearing the post 1915 economy tunic & he looks about 20.
So maybe born 1895-1900.
Title: Re: Identification of lad in Photo
Post by: genechaser on Tuesday 05 July 16 16:39 BST (UK)
Lookind at the Team crop in his right hand he is a gun Team Driver Royal Field Artillery
Title: Re: Identification of lad in Photo
Post by: t mo on Tuesday 05 July 16 16:59 BST (UK)
hi genechaser
as a team leader the crop he used was it more like a baton as opposed to an ordinary riding crop ? .
regards
trevor
Title: Re: Identification of lad in Photo
Post by: Mamsoth on Tuesday 05 July 16 17:50 BST (UK)
Thank you everyone for the input. I have a theory about who this might be but it is only that at the moment. The person who I think this could be was a chap named Percy Hayward Squirrell born July 1891. My 2 x great uncle.

If it is him, these are the facts I know relating to his war record...

. He was a driver in Salonika.
. He was RFA (68th brigade). In another document I have for him his regiment is listed as 179th Brigade.
. He enlisted 1915 in Deptford, discharged 1918.
. I believe his regimental number was 431953 (does that sound possible)

As I say, I am far from certain that this is the fellow but from the little I know, he does seem to fit quite well.
Title: Re: Identification of lad in Photo
Post by: jim1 on Tuesday 05 July 16 18:04 BST (UK)
Perfectly possible. Another indication as to what he did is that he's wearing spurs so a driver not a gunner.
The no. I can see is L/31953.
Title: Re: Identification of lad in Photo
Post by: Mamsoth on Tuesday 05 July 16 19:42 BST (UK)
Perfectly possible. Another indication as to what he did is that he's wearing spurs so a driver not a gunner.
The no. I can see is L/31953.

Yes good spot, I hadn't noticed the spurs. Yes on a second look, the number is actually L/... Not 4....

I found this on  a website. It has a few scant facts about Percy Haywards military career. It was the following info I was intrigued by...

Unit/ship/squadron: "A" Bty. 68th Bde.

Does anyone know what the bty refers to?
Title: Re: Identification of lad in Photo
Post by: John915 on Tuesday 05 July 16 20:01 BST (UK)
Good evening,

Down to specsavers for you today Jim i'm afraid. Left hand pocket (right as we look) below the button is definitely a pleat. 8) 8) 8) 8) 8)

John915
Title: Re: Identification of lad in Photo
Post by: jess5athome on Tuesday 05 July 16 20:19 BST (UK)
Hi, I agree with John915, there does definitely look to be a pleat.

Frank.

Title: Re: Identification of lad in Photo
Post by: t mo on Tuesday 05 July 16 20:43 BST (UK)
mamsoth
bty is short for battery so A battery 68th brigade .
regards
trevor
Title: Re: Identification of lad in Photo
Post by: t mo on Tuesday 05 July 16 21:25 BST (UK)
as a check did your percy marry a sarah foote 10 mar 1912 and have children Dorothy violet frances born 27 nov 1912 and Dudley Hayward born 9 jan 1915
percy admitted to hospital with lymphodenoma [ as per record ] 18 dec 1917 discharged 15 feb 1918 and died 31 dec 1918 .
regards
trevor
Title: Re: Identification of lad in Photo
Post by: jim1 on Tuesday 05 July 16 23:35 BST (UK)
Quote
Left hand pocket (right as we look) below the button is definitely a pleat
Specsavers tomorrow.
Title: Re: Identification of lad in Photo
Post by: Mamsoth on Saturday 16 July 16 16:46 BST (UK)
Thanks for input everbody

as a check did your percy marry a sarah foote 10 mar 1912 and have children Dorothy violet frances born 27 nov 1912 and Dudley Hayward born 9 jan 1915
percy admitted to hospital with lymphodenoma [ as per record ] 18 dec 1917 discharged 15 feb 1918 and died 31 dec 1918 .
regards
trevor

Sorry for the late reply t mo, but yes thats correct that's him  8)